Those who have had 37 weekers.... POLL

I’m just curious... for everyone who has had a 37 weeker, did they need NICU time or no? I’m being induced at 37 weeks due to Preeclampsia and am so nervous. My OB and MFM doc say that most 37 weekers do just fine, but I’m still scared. I’ve had two babies born early due to Preeclampsia before and both were in the NICU. I had one at 37 weeks who was in the NICU for 8 days and one at 35 weeks who was in the NICU for almost 3 weeks. I’m just hoping and praying so hard that this little guy is healthy and can come home with me.

Now I know every baby is different.... but I’m just curious to see what the stats have been for your 37 weekers (either with this pregnancy or a previous one.) Please answer the poll, and also comment if they didn’t need NICU time but struggled with certain things like latching and eating, or if they did need NICU time how much time were they in for. Thanks mamas!

My first was born at 37 weeks and had low blood sugar when she was born and a little jaundice. Sugars were fine after day one and her jaundice wasn’t bad at all. My doctor told me to keep baby’s bassinet near a window with good sunlight to help with the jaundice and that did work really well. She was able to come home with me after 2 days in the hospital. This was 11 yrs ago and my hospital considered 37 weeks full term. Idk if it’s like that anymore.

I just had my little boy Tuesday, 37w4d and we were discharged 29hrs after delivery, no NICU time. When he was born it took 2 hours for his oxygen levels and temp to regulate but other than that he was fine and I did not have the steroid injections like most

I just had my son at 37+4 was induced at 37+1 so a very long process and labor due to sudden preeclampsia. He was 6 lbs 13 oz and was perfectly healthy. He did have issues breastfeeding (still does a lil bit) being super sleepy so waking him enough to latch was very difficult. Since we've been home 3 days now he does MUCH better. He still gets a bottle offered after each feeding but that was due to him being borderline jaundice in the hospital and that's what they recommended. Plus I pump, so about every other time his offered bottle is breast milk. Long story short he's doing great and definitely isn't taking as long to "catch up" as the doctor predicted.

FTM. Baby was born at 37 weeks because he was ‘too small’ according to the growth chart. He entered the world at 5 lbs even and didn’t require NICU. He was born yesterday and we’ll be going home tomorrow. Keep the faith. Like you said, every baby is different so I’ll be praying for you!

My daughter was induced at 36.4 weeks, amniotic fluid leaking, and she needed no NICU time. Passed all her tests in the hospital but she did have an extremely lazy neck so her head would lean more towards one side then the other. We also struggled with breastfeeding. The hospital staff wanted to make sure she could suck and swallow, hold food down so they gave her a pacifier and formula, which I was not apposed to because I'd rather her be eating then not and know she could hold it down. When we got home and due to lack of knowledge, we just never switched back from formula because I didn't know how to breastfeed and she turned her nose up at the idea when I first tried it.

I was induced with my first for pre-e concerns too, and I was really nervous. But she was perfect. I spoke with the hospital pediatrician, 2 other widwives and another OB. I got as many opinions as I could! 37 weeks is considered term now (technically pre-term) but that’s not the same as premie... good luck to you mama! You guys will do great!

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